ELLSWORTH AIR FORCE BASE, S.D. -- The Ellsworth Air Force Base School Liaison Program hosted their annual Back to School Round Up (B2SRU), at the Dakota Community Commons July 30, 2022. The School Liaison Program works to strengthen the 28 Bomb Wing team by building a strong community. The program works with parents to find education options that work best for their family and minimize the effects of military moves may have on children’s schooling.
Frequent moves are a part of the military lifestyle and service member’s children may often feel out of place when arriving at a new school, with some saying they’re always “the new kid.” Ellsworth AFB school liaisons provide the B2SRU event so new arrivals can meet other children in their grade and forge friendships before the school year kicks off.
This year’s event was western themed, with educational activities grounded in the science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields.
“It is important for these students to identify where they belong as they immerse into a new community that is unfamiliar,” said Ms. Fran Apland, school liaison for the Ellsworth AFB School Liaison Program.
The event is focused on getting students settled into their new surroundings in a fun and child-friendly fashion.
Apland managed a booth and assisted attendees in making educational decisions. She offered information about various educational routes as well as supplementary programs to support students.
“Schooling options are diverse in that military-connected students, like their civilian peers, attend a variety of educational settings,” said Apland. “Parents choose the best educational situation to fit their family’s lifestyle and might include public, private, parochial, virtual, or home schooling options.”
Apland says that events such as the B2SRU do not happen without volunteers from the community. If someone wishes to support the program they may contact her at 28FSS.SLO.POC@us.af.mil.